Dealing with Emotional Injuries After a Car Accident

Dealing with Emotional Injuries After a Car Accident

In the aftermath of a car accident or hit and run, almost all victims feel overwhelmed and upset. But many people don’t realize that mental distress should never linger for weeks or even months, and a car accident attorney near San Jose can help victims recover injury compensation for a wide range of emotional injuries. If you have suffered any kind of personal injury in a car accident, be sure to discuss the facts of your particular case with an experienced accident attorney. Read on to learn more about overcoming emotional trauma after a car accident.

Understanding Your Feelings

Personal injury lawyers generally refer to emotional injuries as “pain and suffering.” The first step to a proper diagnosis is taking a moment to understand that you are feeling differently. You should also know that these feelings are directly attributable to your accident—and are not your fault. At the less severe end of this spectrum, car accident victims can feel persistent fear, anger, anxiety, shock, or emotional anguish. Even individuals who suffer mild cases of distress can experience bouts of crying, loss of appetite, lack of energy, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Severe cases can develop into PTSD, where sufferers can become paralyzed with fear.

Seeking Professional Help

If you have a car accident case, your attorney will advise you to consult a physician who can properly diagnose your injury. Severe cases of mental or emotional distress require professional medical or psychological assistance. Your therapist or doctor may suggest medication to help you deal with bouts of anxiety or sleeplessness and may also advise a longer-term course of psychological care. Each case is different, and only an experienced physician can help you chart a path to recovery.

Collecting Proper Compensation

While pain and suffering may be proven through a victim’s own testimony, personal injury lawyers also encourage victims to seek professional help because it strengthens their case for damages. Accident victims who have never sought treatment in the past may be understandably confused by their symptoms and could hesitate to seek treatment. Sadly, insurance companies and juries are less willing to accept claims for mental and emotional injuries when victims don’t seek care. Your best bet is to always speak with an attorney and consult a doctor after any kind of car accident.